New Forest Conservation Program: Financial Assistance and Easements
This Act establishes the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP), providing financial assistance to private and Tribal forest landowners who agree to place conservation easements (typically permanent) on their land. The program aims to protect forests from non-forest development, enhance carbon sequestration, improve water quality, and safeguard habitats for at-risk species, while generally allowing continued working forest production. The program replaces the existing Healthy Forests Reserve Program and allocates $100 million annually from 2026 through 2030.
Key points
Landowners can receive federal funding to sell conservation easements to eligible entities or the USDA, often covering 50% to 75% of the easement's fair market value.
Higher federal cost-share (up to 75%) is available for beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged forest landowners.
The Act seeks to set aside 10% of program funds for historically underserved forest landowners.
Participants are allowed to engage in environmental services markets (like carbon markets) if it supports additional conservation benefits.
Status:
Introduced
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